After wrapping up my first European block for 2026, I’m proud to reflect on the learning, progress, and valuable experience gained competing against some of the best sailors in the world.

The trip included three major regattas: Princess Sofia in Palma, French Olympic Week in Hyères, and the iQFOiL European Championships in Portimão, Portugal.

We started in Palma with a challenging light-wind regatta and an incredibly stacked fleet. Despite a difficult final day that pushed me back slightly, I finished 24th overall and came away with some really important learnings that carried into the next event.

French Olympic Week in Hyères was a strong step forward. Racing in tough, windy course-racing conditions, I was able to put together a much more consistent regatta and finished 15th overall, despite dealing with some sickness throughout the week.

The last, but most important, event was in Portugal. We spent a solid training block preparing for the European Championships. Europeans started rough on the first day, and I then spent most of the week fighting back through the leaderboard. Unfortunately, my starts were poor, and in such a competitive fleet this made racing difficult. The races where I got off the line cleanly showed where I should be in the fleet, and I was able to hold my position near the front. It definitely showed that if I can improve my starts consistently, the results will come with it. I improved each day and finished 27th overall, outside my target of a top-20 result. Although not exactly where I wanted to finish, the event gave me plenty of motivation and clear areas to improve moving forward.

Now the focus shifts to a training camp in Mooloolaba next week, before Grae and I head to Long Beach, Los Angeles – the Olympic venue – for a month of training. The year will then wrap up with my major target event for 2026: the World Championships in Weymouth this September, where I’ll be pushing for a top-20 finish.

A massive thank you to RQYS for all of the continued support, especially through the John Harrison Fund. I genuinely could not travel and compete around the world without this support, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities the club provides. Also, a huge thank you to my coaches, AB and Mitch, for all of their time, guidance, and support.

……..

Kind regards,

Rory.